Signed Postal Card

On October 4, 1929 a bit of aviation history took place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, when the Grube Airport officially opened and the first airmail from that airport was flown; Transcontinental Air Mail Service Datin flew 2,200 letters to Pittsburgh, 300 of them signed by him; two days later he died in a biplane crash during a stunt exhibition at Ebensberg, Pennsylvania. Signed Postal Card, heavy stock 9¼" X 5", Punxsatawney, PA, 1929 October 4. Addressed to George W. Kessler. Very good. Mild bit of wear. One side of this large picture postcard depicts a typical airplane of the day (likely a Transcontinental Air Mail Service plane) soaring amidst a cloudy sky. The message side bears the 5-cent "Air Mail" stamp and a McKeesport, Pennsylvania cancellation of 1929 October 8. The message portion bears a finely printed note: "Dear Sir: -- It was my privilege to carry your Air Mail yesterday. Thanks very kindly for your patronage. My reward will be your continued use of the Air Mail." Above the closing word "Pilot," Datin signs boldly in black ink. At center of this side is a large square special cancellation honoring the dedication of the Grube Airport and indicating "Friday, October 4, 1929 / Punxsatawney - Pennsylvania." A handsome and decorative piece, with a two large blue and red stripes running horizontally across the top with "VIA AIR MAIL" printed between. The record shows that special airmail envelopes were selling well on that day at the dedication -- presumably this very type of commemorative card bearing this special one-day-only cancellation. This would have been one of the 300 items signed by Datin flown on that very day. Ironically, by the time this was further cancelled in McKeesport, Datin had been dead for two days. A most unusual and scarce aviation and philatelic item.